delucemine

Delucemine (NPS-1506) is a small molecule drug originally developed by NPS Pharmaceuticals, derived from research on spider venoms. It functions as a dual-action agent, acting as both a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist and a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Initially investigated for its neuroprotective properties in the treatment of acute neurological conditions such as ischemic stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI), it demonstrated the ability to reduce brain edema and improve ion homeostasis. In the early 2000s, its clinical focus shifted toward the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), leveraging its unique mechanism of targeting both glutamatergic and serotonergic neurotransmission. Development was eventually discontinued after the drug reached clinical stages under Shire and NPS Pharmaceuticals.

Other names

delucemine hydrochloride